Georgia
Masked Georgian police filmed violently detaining TV Pirveli cameraperson
The TV Pirveli cameraperson, according to the Interior Ministry, was detained on charges of disobeying police.
TV Pirveli
5 Posts
• 0 Followers
Georgia
Georgian opposition moves to impeach prime minister for ‘misuse of state assets’
Georgian opposition party Lelo has begun a process of consultation with other opposition groups regarding the possibility of impeaching Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili over allegations of personal use of state resources. On Sunday, an MP from the Lelo party, Levan Samushia, accused Gharibashvili of abusing his office and called on other members of the opposition to support the party’s initiative to impeach the prime minister. Samushia cited a TV Pirveli investigation into a trip Gharibas
Anaklia Port
TBC bank founder and Georgian opposition leader found guilty of fraud
Mamuka Khazaradze, one of the founders of TBC Bank and the leader of the Lelo Party, has been found guilty of fraud but spared jail by Tbilisi City Court. Khazaradze, along with TBC co-founder Badri Japaridze and businessman Avtandil Tsereteli were each given seven years in prison, however, their sentences were commuted as the statute of limitations for fraud had expired. All three were on trial for the more serious offence of money laundering, but the court re-qualified the charges to fraud
Freedom of the Press
Georgian Government to seize overdue taxes from TV companies Kavkasia, Pirveli, and Rustavi 2
Georgia’s finance ministry has notified broadcasters Kavkasia, Pirveli, and Rustavi 2 and their banks that they will begin seizing overdue taxes from the TV companies. At least one regional broadcaster has reportedly received the same notice. On 25 December, the Finance Ministry issued an encashment order against the three Tbilisi-based broadcasters. The Revenu Service declined to confirm the order for privacy reasons however Kavkasia, Pirveli, and Rustavi 2 all confirmed the reports.
avtandil tsereteli
Father of Georgia’s TV Pirveli owner charged with money laundering
The Georgian Prosecutor’s Office has charged Avtandil Tsereteli, whose son owns independent TV channel Pirveli, with participating in the group money laundering of almost $17 million. Following the charges on Thursday, Pirveli’s owner, Vakhtang Tsereteli, accused the government of ‘blackmail’. The charges involve a case launched last year against the former board chair of TBC Bank Group, Mamuka Khazaradze, and former deputy chair, Badri Japaridze. The two bankers were charged on 24 July
